Physically Challenged Open Division

Physically Challenged Open Division

Participation in the PC Open Division is available to athletes with a medically verified Visual Impairment (as such term is defined below) or a medically verified physical or neurological impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Athletes with other miscellaneous medical conditions such as, but not limited to, intolerance to temperature extremes, organ transplants, joint replacements (endoprosthetics), kidney dialysis, hearing impairments, and/or cognitive impairment are not eligible to participate in the PC Open Division;

1. The term "Visual Impairment" means either:
(a) a visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60 meters) or less in the better-seeing eye with best conventional correction (meaning with regular glasses or contact lenses)
(b) a visual field (the total area an individual can see without moving the eyes from side to side) of 20 degrees or less (also called tunnel vision) in the better-seeing eye

2. Visually impaired athletes must:
(a) use only one (1) Guide (Guide can be of either gender).
(b) be tethered during the swim segment of the race
(c) ride a tandem bicycle during the bike segment of the race
(d) during the run segment of the race, use either an elbow lead or a tether lead

Guide and Handler Information:
•A Guide competes in the race and is only permitted for Visually Impaired Athletes (please see definition of visual impaired above).
•A Handler acts as an aid for the swim start, swim finish, and transition but does not compete in any leg of the race. For more information, please see below the rules and guidelines on becoming a Handler or Guide.

See our below Frequently Asked Questions for more information. For further inquiries, please contact the race specific email or

Participation in the Physically Challenged Open Division is available to athletes with a medically verified Visual Impairment (as such term is defined below) or a medically verified physical or neurological impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Athletes with other miscellaneous medical conditions such as, but not limited to, intolerance to temperature extremes, organ transplants, joint replacements (endoprosthetics), kidney dialysis, hearing impairments, and/or cognitive impairment are not eligible to participate in the PC Open Division;

1). The term “Visual Impairment” means either:
(a) a visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60 meters) or less in the better-seeing eye with best conventional correction (meaning with regular glasses or contact lenses).
(b) a visual field (the total area an individual can see without moving the eyes from side to side) of 20 degrees or less (also called tunnel vision) in the better-seeing eye.

2). Visually Impaired athletes must:
(a) use only one Guide (Guide can be of either gender).
(b) be tethered during the swim segment of the Race
(c) ride a tandem bicycle during the bike segment of the Race
(d) during the run segment of the Race, use either an elbow lead or a tether lead
(e)Conduct and standards for Handlers and Guides of PC Open athletes is governed by the ITU Paratriathlon Rules.

• PC Open athletes are not required to request or receive any formal paratriathlon classification.

• Except with respect to the exceptions listed below, adaptive equipment used in the PC Open Division must conform to the equipment specifications listed in the “International Triathlon Union (“ITU”) Paratriathlon Rule Modifications” or as otherwise specified in these Competition Rules with the following exceptions:

→ PC Open athletes with disabilities that affect the athlete’s ability to remain balanced may use stabilizer wheels during the bicycle segment of the Race. (Please note: The BIKE USA, Inc. Stabilizer Wheel Kit is an adult training wheel kit and has been approved for use in Events. For information and pictures of the product, see http://www.stabilizerwheels.com/).

→ Recumbent style tricycles are permitted.

→ Handcycles that do not meet the ITU Paratriathlon measurement restrictions (e.g., for length, wheel size, seat angle, and/or safety bars) are permitted. Any request by a PC Open athlete to use other adaptive equipment (equipment not defined in the ITU Paratriathlon Rules or in the exceptions above) must be submitted to the Event Director or the Head Referee at least 14 days prior to the Event.
Please submit requests to race specific email or
• Any request by a PC Open athlete to use other adaptive equipment (equipment not defined in the ITU Paratriathlon Rules or in the exceptions above) must be submitted to the Event Director or the Head Referee at least 14 days prior to the Event. Please submit requests to race specific email or.

•Guides shall be subject to the IRONMAN Competition Rules in addition to further regulations deemed appropriate by the Race Referee.

• Guides are not allowed to push or pull their Visually Impaired athlete.

• Visually Impaired athlete and Guide shall not be more than 0.5 meters apart at all times.

• Guides may not use paddleboards, kayaks, etc. (on the swim portion) or bicycles, motor bicycles, etc. (on the run portion), or any other mechanical means of transportation.

SWIM CONDUCT•Visually Impaired athlete must be tethered to their Guide during the swim.

• Guide must swim next to the Visually Impaired athlete within a maximum separation distance of 1.5m from the Visually Impaired athlete’s head to the Guide’s head. The tether should be elastic rope with bright or reflective color and up to 80cm long measured with no tension. It can be fixed at any point of the Visually Impaired athlete’s body.

• At no time may a Guide lead or pace their Visually Impaired athlete nor propel them forward by pulling or pushing.

BIKE CONDUCT
• Visually Impaired athlete and Guide must use a tandem bicycle.

RUN CONDUCT
• Visually Impaired athletes must be tethered during the run with his/her Guide. Visually Impaired athletes may receive verbal instructions only from their Guide. At no time may a Guide lead or pace the Visually Impaired athlete nor propel them forward by pulling or pushing.

• As the Visually Impaired athlete crosses the finish line, the Guide must be beside or behind the athlete but not further apart than the required 0.5 meters maximum separation distance. For safety reasons the 10 meters before and after an aid station, an acute turn, the Penalty Tent, transition area, swim exit, .5 meters maximum separation will not be enforced.

These policies are based on conformance with triathlon event standards and best practices for ensuring the safety of all athletes. Visually Impaired athletes will be subject to the IRONMAN Competitions Rules in addition to further regulations deemed appropriate by the Race Referee.

Securing Handlers shall be the responsibility of the PC open athlete and the Handler must be identified as a Handler and wear the required credentials to be supplied by race personnel.

Only one Handler for PC Open Division athletes.

The Handler is specifically allowed to assist PC Open athlete:
•Helping with prosthetic devices or other assistive devices.
•Lifting athletes out of handcycles and wheelchairs.
•Removing wetsuits or clothing.
•Repairing bikes and helping with other equipment in the transition area.
•Racking the bikes in the transition area.

Any action taken by a Handler which propels the PC open athlete forward may result in disqualification.

• IRONMAN reserves the right to seed PC Open Division athletes at the swim start of the Race (i.e., early start, late start, designated wave, etc.).

• PC Open Athletes may use wetsuits during the swim segment of the Race at any given water temperature.- Prior to the start of the Race athletes must obtain prior approval from the Event Director with respect to all special requests related to swimwear and/or accessories to be used during the swim segment of the Race. Any change thereafter will be grounds for disqualification.

• The use of snorkels is prohibited. (DSQ). *For our US events only, snorkels may be worn due to a medical condition supported by documentation from a physician.

• Standard bicycles are subject to specifications set forth in Article V of the Competition Rules. Adaptations not specified in Article V must be pre-approved by the Head Referee prior to Race day.

• Each PC Open athlete is required to maintain control of his/her bicycle and to operate at a reasonable speed so as not to threaten the safety and well-being of aid station volunteers, other competitors, Race Officials and/or spectators.

• Operation of a bicycle/handcycle in a dangerous or reckless manner will be grounds for disqualification.

• Race Officials reserve the right to reject any bicycle/handcycle not meeting IRONMAN’s safety standards.

• An approved helmet is required during the entire bike segment of the Race (including in and out of the transition area).

• Any athlete riding without an approved helmet or chinstrap fastened will be disqualified.

• An approved helmet is required during the entire wheelchair (run) segment (including in and out of the transition area).

• Any athlete riding without chinstrap fastened will be disqualified.

These policies are based on conformance with triathlon event standards and best practices for ensuring the safety of all athletes. Athletes will be subject to the IRONMAN Competitions Rules in addition to further regulations deemed appropriate by the Race Referee.

PC Open athletes can enter in the Physically Challenged Drawing for slots to the IRONMAN World Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Click here for more information on the Physically Challenged Drawing.